Tag Archives: sea captains

Information about the steam ferry ‘SS Chieftain’s Bride’ which was saved from sinking between Tiree and Mull in 1867 by the efforts of Captain Donald MacKinnon, Heanish, but in which he sustained internal injuries leading to his death and burial in Capetown, South Africa. Captain MacKinnon was master of the ‘Taeping’, which won the Great China Tea Race of 1866.

Ornate glass walking stick made for Captain Donald MacKinnon, Heanish, in 1886, It was a gift for winning the great China Tea Race of 1866. From the belongings of Robert Nisbet, Heanish. The silk ribbons were added to hang the walking stick.

Transcripts of maritime records of the MacKinnons of Heanish, particularly Captain Donald MacKinnon who sailed the Taeping to victory in the Great China Tea Race of 1866. Researched by Robert Nisbet, Heanish. (1) ‘Captain Donald MacKinnon Timeline’, 1866-1867: dates and summaries of key events from the start of Great China Tea Race to Captain MacKinnon’s death in South Africa, (2) log of RMS Roman, 1867, detailing death of Captain MacKinnon and listing the belongings found in his cabin, (3) details of the estate of Captain Donald MacKinnon, 1867, (4) details of Tiree mariners, 1808-1886, (5) photocopied voyages record of Captain Donald MacKinnon, 1851-1867, from the National Archives in Kew, (6) details from the seaman’s tickets of Angus MacKinnon (b. 1831) and Colin MacKinnon (b. 1834).

Collection of fliers, information and letters about a presentation titled ‘Captain Donald MacKinnon, Clippers and the China Tea Trade’ given by Lloyd Pitcher in Australia on 7th March 2017. Captain Donald MacKinnon, Heanish, sailed the tea clipper ‘Taeping’ to victory in the Great China Tea Race of 1866.

Colour photograph of the captain of the Queen Mary cruise ship preparing to drop a wreath commemorating the wrecking of the destroyer HMS Sturdy at Sandaig during WWII.

Organised by Commander Michael Gibson of Plymouth, the wreath was thrown overboard in the summer of 2015 as the Queen Mary cruised past the Hebrides. HMS Sturdy foundered during a storm in October 1940. Five lives were lost, but were it not for the actions of Tiree folk, in particular Captain Donald Sinclair, the toll would have been much higher. The dedication on the wreath reads: “Dedicated to the bravery of Captain Donald Sinclair and those who helped in the rescue effort of HMS Sturdy and in remembrance of all those lost on Empire Eland in 1941”. Captain Sinclair was on the Empire Eland when it was torpedoed by a U-boat in the Atlantic.

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